Leading PI: Christine Beemelmanns (HIPS)
This study aims to explore the dynamic changes in the primary and secondary metabolome of an encapsulated microbial strain, with a focus on understanding whether these alterations contribute positively or negatively to long-term metabolite production. A key aspect of the investigation involves analyzing the spatial distribution of metabolites within LTMs and comparing it to that in the surrounding supernatant, thereby uncovering potential compartmentalization effects or diffusion limitations. Additionally, the research aims to utilize time-dependent monitoring of metabolite production as a tool to assess the functional lifespan and productivity of LTMs over extended periods. Another important objective is to evaluate the feasibility of integrating experimental metabolomic data with Genome-Scale Metabolic Modeling (GSMM) approaches, in order to predict metabolite profiles with accuracy across different microbial species or genera. Finally, the study will examine whether encapsulation can serve as a strategy to activate silent gene clusters responsible for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, potentially unlocking novel bioactive compounds.